Dagenham & Redbridge sack their manager after 4-2 defeat to Braintree

Dagenham & Redbridge sack their manager Ben Strevens after they suffered a 4-2 defeat at home to Braintree Town on Boxing Day.

This decision was influenced by recent performances, including this loss, which has put the team in a precarious position in the league standings.

The result leaves the Daggers sitting 16th in the National League, with 28 points from 23 games played, 5 points above the drop zone and 10 from the playoff places. Braintree meanwhile sit 20th with 23 points from 24 games played.

The move comes as part of what appears to be a strategic shift by the club’s new ownership or Director of Football, aiming to possibly inject new energy or tactical direction into the team.

Strevens, who was liked for his personal qualities and coaching, faced scrutiny due to the team’s results, highlighting the often harsh reality of football management where outcomes dictate tenure.

Regrettably, and after a run of poor results in the league the club has tonight decided to part company with Manager Ben Strevens.

The club would like to put on record its thanks to Ben for his almost two years in charge of Dagenham & Redbridge FC.

— Dagenham & Redbridge ⚔️ (@Dag_RedFC) December 26, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

Regrettably, and after a run of poor results in the league the club has tonight decided to part company with Manager Ben Strevens.

The club would like to put on record its thanks to Ben for his almost two years in charge of Dagenham & Redbridge FC and in particular the two FA Cup victories against Crewe Alexandra and AFC Wimbledon which lined up a visit to Millwall in the 3rd round next month.

Assistant Manager Lewis Young has been put in temporary charge of the team whilst the selection of a new manager takes place.

No time scale has been put on this recruitment process, but rest assured this will start immediately.

In the meantime, we would urge all supporters to give Lewis and the team your full support.

DAGENHAM’S 24/25 RESULTS:

Sat 10 Aug – H – Wealdstone National League – 2-1
Sat 17 Aug – A – Rochdale National League – 1-1
Tue 20 Aug – A – Woking National League – 0-1
Fri 23 Aug – H – FC Halifax Town National League – 1-1
Mon 26 Aug – A – Southend United National League – 2-2
Sat 31 Aug – H – York City National League – 0-2
Sat 7 Sep – A – Maidenhead United National League – 1-1
Tue 10 Sep – H – Sutton United National League – 3-0
Sat 14 Sep – H – Gateshead National League – 7-1
Sat 21 Sep – A – Hartlepool United National League – 1-0
Tue 24 Sep – A – Altrincham National League – 1-2
Sat 28 Sep – H – Solihull Moors National League – 1-1
Sat 5 Oct – A – Yeovil Town National League – 0-1
Sat 12 Oct – A – Leiston FA Cup 4Q – 5-1
Sat 19 Oct – H – AFC Fylde National League – 4-0
Tue 22 Oct – H – Eastleigh National League – 2-2
Sat 26 Oct – A – Oldham Athletic National League – 0-1
Sat 2 Nov – A – Crewe Alexandra FA Cup 1 – 1-0
Sat 9 Nov – A – Boston United National League – 1-1
Sat 16 Nov – H – Barnet National League – 3-4
Sat 23 Nov – A – Tamworth National League – 1-2
Tue 26 Nov – H – Aldershot Town National League – 3-2
Sat 30 Nov – A – AFC Wimbledon FA Cup 2 – 2-1
Wed 11 Dec – A – Chertsey Town FA Trophy 3 – 0-1
Sat 14 Dec – H – Rochdale National League – 1-0
Wed 18 Dec – A – Canvey Island Essex Cup 4 – 0-3
Sat 21 Dec – A – Wealdstone National League – 0-3
Thu 26 Dec – H – Braintree Town National League – 2-4

Here’s how fans reacted as Dagenham & Redbridge sack their manager after the 4-2 defeat to Braintree…

@SnaresyLad: Gutted for strevs but I think it is the correct decision before it’s too late. Just question is who do we bring in!?

@BenOConnell13: Gutted it didn’t work out for him. Can’t fault his commitment or effort but it just wasn’t good enough unfortunately and things were only getting worse. All the best Strevs, club legend and that will never change.

@JimPars53543240: 100% the right decision, but I gotta say, it was obvious Strevs was being thrown under a bus some time ago. Supposedly, a bottom 10 budget and still owners want to slash that despite having “league 1” aspirations. Perhaps they need to have a hard look in the mirror right now!

@drfcjude: A brilliant man who wanted nothing but the best for Dagenham, all the best Strevs 👏🏼

@OnceADagger: Just want to confirm too, when the decision makers said that Strevs wasn’t good enough did that count as criticism and cause them to be banned?

@christof88: Top bloke who will always have our respect, but the right decision. We are only heading one way. Big job for whoever comes in

@E20WHU: Blimey… it’s been coming tho.

@danielgodfrey_: Thanks for everything Ben 🔴🔵

@hornchurchammer: It’s a results business, always has been, always will be. Sentiment doesn’t come in to it when 4 go down and you’re 5 points off the relegation zone.

@s_bailey_1985: @rubycurrie for the job. Great at the club first time around & unlucky not to get the top job back then. Now is the time for him to step into management at a club that has a lot love for him already.

@OnlyRomfyy: Will miss you strevs 🔴🔵⚔️

@andytown0: Absolutely gutted for Ben, always had time and respect for the fans, such a shame it didn’t work out.

@Jakemas71037342: Wow actually taken action maybe some ambition at last, love Ben as a person and given some great memories probably the best manger we’ve had since I’ve supported the dags but as others have said it’s a result business and it was time to get rid, especially after recent results ⚔️

@phazza_white: @1AustinMitch in

@NorthKoreanDags: He wasn’t the man for the job but he was a hard worker. Right decision but good luck in the future.

@LukeCOYD22: Was coming unfortunately. Absolutely top bloke, love the man but it’s a results business. Thanks for the good memories Ben ❤️

@DaggersCA: oh damn didnt expect this

@HCfootball01: Good luck Strevs, one of the good guys.

@lisastrev: Absolutely gutted for my brother 💔 no one wanted it work more than him! But that’s football- proud of him x

@Jaireason: Strevs will never come out and say it, but The shit he has dealt with behind the scenes people will never know or see. Too many pretenders placed in positions around that club. Time will tell if changing the manager was the right call, but I got a feeling nothing will change.

@alfieowen2014: Hate that it ended like this but it was the only way forward in my opinion, Ben is and will always be a club legend that will never change! Ben isn’t fully to be blamed but in this line of work he’s the one in the firing line. Thank you Ben, all the best for the future!

@Charlie_Hadds: Ben always put the club first and is a great guy. I hope he goes on to get another good role

@DavidBickley94: Really tough to take. A supporter of the club as much as a manager whose passion alone deserved a fairytale ending, instead it’s a gutting conclusion. Grateful of the time he made for us supporters, top man who I hope we haven’t seen the last of at the Vic. Thank you Strevs ⚔️

@TheMemphisEra: OH WOW THEY TOOK ACTION

@Doigey93: Inevitable, guess we’d never know if he could have taken us up, not sure he ever got a fair crack with off field issues always over shadowing. Time for a yes man and a group club to come in. Sad day really, desperately wanted it to work for him

@northkoreandag: one of the good guys, always gave time and respect to everyone in and around the club – he understood what the club meant it’s just a shame it didn’t work out for him from the sidelines. not a bad word to say about Ben, but this business is cruel. new year to start afresh

@Intherough83: About time too. Good guy Ben but not up for the job. The dinosaur next, please!

@Aaron_Dag97: Really really hate that it had to come to this but the blame should not be soully placed with Ben. His status as a club legend should not be tarnished by his performance as manager here

@JamesLee2504: Young exciting manager down the road! @HarropAngelo unfairly treated at Braintree after an unbelievable season 23/24, would be a great addition to the dags as a long term appointment 👊

@DiggerDagger20: A real dagger. Shame to see it end like this but something had to change.

@JFoley88: Ah ffs! Top top bloke. Worked with him at @HawksFCOfficial. Gutted to see this 😥

@OnceADagger: Ben should always be welcome back at the club. He is one of us and only wanted the best for us. Moving on from him is right, no doubt. But I also don’t want to lose sight of how badly he has been shafted since joining. Trinity, Underdog, and the players all fucked him over.

Not sure what to really make of this one

Felt like Daggers were in a state of flux at the start of the season. But they’ve been like that for a while

Could you lay it all at Strevens’ door? I’m not so sure

But a change is needed. Perhaps that’s the easiest one https://t.co/0mQWP5FcKj

— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) December 26, 2024

Been a pleasure Strevs. All the best 🗡️ 👊🏻 https://t.co/HAh5w2ORYB pic.twitter.com/0MgkBIBsuK

— BC (@BC1994_DRFC) December 26, 2024